So I had my bike stolen straight from the extension on my house. We were all inside the house at the time. The bike wasn't too good, but I'd had it for 5 years so it'd become my second half. It's been 5 days and I'm still depressed about it. Probably more the fact it'll be ridden around and dumped in a field somewhere and not loved any more. I got 30mph out of that bike, despite the fact it was a full steel frame and had a lot of drag due to the tyres it had on. Still really annoyed it's gone...

I'm just looking now for some advice on how to forget about it and just think ahead at how I can make sure this won't happen again but also to overcome these current feelings.

Find a good chain. Since you seem to live in the not best area or you just have some bad people with nothing better to do I suggest locking the bike with the lock around both the wheel and another part of the bike. If you were to just use the wheel someone could take off the wheel and leave with your bike. And this way no one can steal your tire either. Like the first part of this pick http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/lockyourbikehowtolockdiagra.gif you could do the second part if you want but that to me seems like to much trouble.

Generic items that can be bought again? I would just be annoyed that it was stolen and then look into buying a new one, personal items or one of a kind items would bother me a lot more if something were to happen to them. For example, if I was out taking photographs and my camera was lost or stolen before I returned to back up everything I would be bothered more about losing the images (depending what they were) then the camera if it was a family event, one of a kind moments etc.. If it was generic shots of landscape that could be redone I would be more annoyed at losing my camera.

I've convinced myself I'm going to do that if I see someone riding it. But possibly only force stop them and hold until the police come. I'm not letting some scum get away with using MY bike. But possibly fighting them would only make the situation worse. I live in a relatively peaceful area, but the closest town I have to get through to do anything is full of low-life children who seriously don't have anything to do.

The feelings you have are normal, especially when dealing with something that you've really enjoyed. My first car was an absolute piece of crap - 1991 Dodge Colt. It was tiny, it sounded like a moped, and it had the worst audio system that has ever been installed into any vehicle. It was also the car I learned my love of the road in, over the course of 3 months, a multitude of breakdowns, a transmission repair, two accidents, and nearly 60,000 miles of every kind of driving you could imagine. I grew to love that little car, because as much as it broke down, it never failed less than a few yards from my house, usually after carrying me hundreds of miles to get me there. I treated it well, made sure it had the best tires, brakes, and maintenance available for a car of its econobox-ish nature. It was towed while I was trying to get together money for a second transmission repair - I was planning to convert it to manual when it was taken. I still miss that little car, but keeping the good memories and moving on is the best way to cope. As much as you are attached to it, it's still an object, and in the end it can be replaced.

My bike wasn't anything good, and unlike you I didn't realise I liked that thing until it was gone. Walking out of the house and your heart sinking is the worst feeling ever. I'd built my young life around that bike. I went to gym every day on it, and got some serious speed on it. Now, I know I can get a new bike, but I've been torn apart physchologically to feel safe riding through town again. Mum dropped me off at the gym today and I just couldn't put any effort in, when I usually burn 500calories + and do 30 minutes cardio.

I become attached to items because I don't get a chance to upgrade them regularly. This is obviously a negative of not being 'rich'.

While I "loved" my car in a way, I used to complain about it incessantly until it got towed. (My local municipal board hates sitting cars, and didn't even leave mine alone for very long before they took it, and crushed it.) I didn't realize its true value to me until I was looking in hindsight as well.

My laptop died a couple days ago, so i know what you mean by loss. It's frustrating when you can't do anything about it. That being said, dude, it's a thing. It's not like your hard disk containing two years of photos died, or your only copy of your thesis was wiped out in a flood. It's not like your best friend moved across the country. It's not like you trained six months for a marathon only to twist your ankle the day before the event.